Joint responsibility

Dr Aashish Chaudhry

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and can affect one or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is usually associated with old age. The symptoms of this disease normally happen over time in people over 65 years of age. However, this crippling joint disease can also appear suddenly in children, teens and younger adults, owing to genetic predisposition, injuries and infection.

Since the turn of the century with advancing technology, diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic ailments have become better. There also has been a drastic shift in the spectrum of orthopaedic ailments affecting younger population. This rising trend is called ‘accelerated degeneration’. There have been numerous cases of joint replacements in patients less than 40 years of age with the youngest being 24 years. This is a shocking development. On the other hand, there are many aged people over 80 years of age who have good quality bone and joint conditions despite such advanced age.

The question remains why do we see such contrasting and unexpected clinical scenarios? Changing lifestyles, rising inactivity levels, high-calorie food intake, obesity, malnutrition, lack of exposure to sunlight, etc., could be few of the many factors, which has led to this slow, but potentially life-threatening transformation. 

While medical science has raised the average life expectancy significantly in the last few decades, whether the quality of this extended life period has improved or not, needs to be questioned. 

Long hours spent in front of the computers whether we are working or even during the leisure time, bad ergonomics, etc., are few of the underlying reasons for a change in focus from natural to virtual sense of wellbeing. Ironically, increasing use of fitness apps and various gadgets have actually given people a false sense of fitness and health.  

This constant living in the virtual world has made youngsters susceptible to cervical and lumbar spondylosis, osteoarthritis and many forms of inflammatory arthritis (eg RA). There is an alarming rise in the levels of exhaustion in these individuals that is often associated with constant fatigue, burnout and even depression.

The incidence of  uric-acid related joint pains is increasingly rising due to changes in the diet patterns and constant emergence of various diet fads, especially high-protein diets, increasing intake of non-vegetarian food, alcohol consumption and more importantly, non-existence of preventive healthcare.

The world is rapidly changing and so are the lifestyles which are becoming more and more sedentary, eating habits and behaviour. People are going too far from nature and health has become a commodity. They are at the mercy of big companies and marketing campaigns, which can make the public believe in anything and everything for the sake of increasing their sales. 

However, some simple tips can help us check this rising menace. First and foremost is that those who are over-weight should lose the extra kilos so as to lessen the burden on the joints. Some sort of regular exercise is another must but please do low-impact exercises that do not stress the joints e.g. swimming, walking etc. 

Only if the problem is acute and cannot be cured by medication and physiotherapy then a joint replacement or arthroscopy might be required. Precaution normally depends on the kind and stage of arthritis. Squatting and cross-legged sitting should be avoided. Also avoid sedentary lifestyle, do some exercise daily, eat healthy, and add dairy products and vitamin D to your diet. It is better to consult an expert or a physiotherapist for correct exercises. Do cut back on drinking and smoking, and always get seven to eight hours of good quality sleep.

Following these basic guidelines can help us check this increasing incidence of joint problems.   

— The writer is an orthopaedic surgeon, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi